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American Film

A History

Written by a top scholar in the field, American Film: A History gives students a thorough understanding of the fascinating intersection of artistry and economics in Hollywood cinema from the beginning of film history to the present.

A beautiful book and a brisk read, American Film is the most enjoyable and interesting overview of the history of American filmmaking available. Focused on aspects of the film business that are of perennial interest to undergraduates, this book will engage students from beginning to end.

Themes that interest students.

The business of Hollywood is business. This theme is central both to Jon Lewis’s scholarly work and to American Film: A History. Among other topics, the text covers the relationship between content regulation and financial interest; the longstanding cultural tensions between Hollywood and American culture; the relationship between “product line” filmmaking and “auteur” or other ambitious and risky filmmaking; conflicts between labor and management in Hollywood; and the significance of the youth market since the 1960s.

A stunning art program.

Over 250 eye-catching images are included, offering an exciting visual supplement to the concepts and history discussed in the text.

A brisk and enjoyable read.

Lewis writes in an engaging and accessible manner; students are likely to enjoy reading ahead of the syllabus.

Chapter openers and closers that help students recall main points.

Each chapter of American Film begins with a stage-setting opener that lays out the main themes and provides the cultural and historical context; each chapter ends with a summing-up that of the chapter’s coverage that provides a bridge to the next chapter.

A comprehensive history that isn’t overwhelming.

American Film is organized around a chronological structure; its chapters proceed decade-by-decade through the entire arc of American film history. Combined with the accessible prose and engaging art program, this simple organization makes for a book that is appropriate for all levels of undergraduate readers.